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glddstwmn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Racism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and War
clarification for CW tags: racism towards humans vs fae, not POC. Sorry if this is misuse of the tag ❤️vexillia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The premise of the book is easy to follow and understand. Jude wants to be a knight and more over wants to belong with the Faeries. It's a great introduction to fantasy novels that isn't too overly complicated with dark themes balanced with mystery amd the occasional lighthearted moments. The twists are great in my opinion and was a intriguing read
-characters
I love Jude. Her attitude and humor (though unsure at times she meant to be funny, at least to me) was pleasant. It's easy to connect to being an outsider and wanting more for yourself and in the process possibly losing yourself. The other characters were fun and I'm intrigued to read the rest of the series to see what secrets they hide and more depth to their characters that don't meet the eye. Already I love Cardan and Oriana.
-world building-
Don't go into this thinking it's like Acotar or a typical fantasy. I would compare this more to the world that the ShadowHunter Series from Cassandra Clare comes from, it's a mix of the real world clashed with true fantastical magic. Toads and trolls and mermaids and imps and such. It gives a far more childlike fantasy that you'd find in a storybook. I found it a tiny bit jarring sometimes with mention of Target and such but it's a fun world.
-spice-
This book isn't very spicy with a little fluff here and there but one scene really had me wishing for more and a desire to see how far the author will go but I did enjoy the focus more on character building and the plot, not being too steamy but just enough to get a taste.
-readability-
I devoured this book and usua,ly if I enjoy a book I savor it. This was hard to put down once we got halfway thru the book. Again I think it's a easy to follow plot and interesting enough storybook type fantasy for beginners to delve their toes in but also a pleasant read for lovers of storybooks that created wonder for us as children and can enjoy that along with some of its dark undertones.
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
noellegrace8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That being said, I really like the main characters. Some of the side characters are a bit flat, but Jude, Cardan, Maddoc, Vivvie, Dain, Taryn, Oriana... none of them are "good" or "bad." They just are. They make decisions, they have instincts and natures that make those decisions difficult. I love the complexity! I also think this book set up a series (trilogy) well, so I'm hoping to like the next two even more! The worldbulding is awesome. Holly Black has created a very interesting mix of "fae" and "mortal," complete with rich history and quirks and physical descriptions.
I don't factor audiobook reader into my overal star rating, but I give Caitlyn Kelly 3.5/5⭐️. Honestly, I think she was part of the reason I struggled to get into this book, but there's no telling for certain. She oftentimes doesn't seem to read with the same cadence that the words on the page suggest. She also has a cheesy tone when voicing male characters and over-acts when it comes to emotional (and even sometimes non-emotional!) scenes.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Xenophobia, Excrement, Grief, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and War
imgoingonanadventure's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide
elisabethstre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
THE DARK MYSTERIOUS FANTASY? THE POLITICS??? i ate that shit up!! alterrrr die intrigen und plotttwists, das war alles SO GEIL, ich habe so viel nicht kommen sehen!!!! war geschockt
die ganze welt war so magisch und brutal; ich war so froh, nicht von einer heilen schönen feenwelt zu lesen, sondern von dieser abgefuckten grausamkeit und diesen komischen gestalten?? geil
jude war ganz anders, als ich sie mir vorgestellt hab! SHE WAS AN ICONIC, MORALLY GREY ANTIHERO and i love that for her!!!
ihr charakter war manchmal leider nicht soo richtig greifbar; ich hab es aber so gedeutet, dass sie die meiste zeit selbst noch nicht richtig wusste, was sie will und sich noch sucht; wenn das in den folgeteilen besser ist, hab ich nichts gesagt. i love her already!!
wirklich keine person in diesem buch ist ein guter „mensch“, alle waren irgendwie SO BÖSE und haben irgendwelche geheimen schemes gehabt, i ate that uppppp omg. jude auch nur bedingt sympathisch (bin mir nicht so sicher, ob ich sie mag?), but i was rooting for her, she was a queen and she was the moment!!!
das buch war fr 80% fantasy politics, es erinnerte mich stark an game of thrones, aber das hats auch so geil gemacht. it kept me guessing, wer der wahre feind ist und ich LIEBE DAS!! brauche sofort den zweiten teil
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
nyquilla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism and Murder
lottebluebird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I do not know, but many plot twists were no secrets for me, but I liked it maybe even more because of it.
The writing style was so good, that I wanted to read almost the whole book, even English isn’t my mother tongue, in one seating.
Jude and her story.. the cruel prince and the subplot with her twin sister. I loved it all the way, even if very dark things happen in the plot.
And can I have those elaborate gowns the fey wear at parties? The descriptions of them were stunning!
You’ll find me ready the sequel 🤭
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and War
nabzilla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicide and Murder
adoptedbuttons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Violence and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Torture, Toxic relationship, and Abortion
fraugremlin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Sexual assault, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Classism